La Grange awards bid for Stone Avenue station improvements

LA GRANGE – After two rounds of failed bids and planning that dates to 2008, the village has approved a nearly $1.1 million renovation for the 112-year-old Stone Avenue train station.

The Village Board unanimously approved a contract with Waukegan-based Boller Construction Co. at the board's meeting Monday.

The renovation includes replacing the station's roof, gutters, downspouts, doors and light fixtures; completing the platform area under the outbound shelter; regrading the approaches to the station from Burlington Avenue; and tuckpointing to preserve the station's brickwork.

Initial plans called for slate roofing and copper gutter material, which proved too expensive. The winning bid, though, includes a recyclable polymeric roofing material that the village says still preserves the station's historic aspects.

“I want to commend our staff on sticking with this and doing an incredible job," Trustee Jeff Nowak said.

The renovation was also to include other improvements – like removal of lead paint, window replacements and interior renovations – but the village had to reduce the scope of the project to find a qualifying bid.

The first 10 bids either exceeded the village's budget or failed to meet requirements of a grant being used to fund the renovation. Those improvements are now listed as alternates and will only be completed if the main changes are made under budget or new funds become available.

Portions of the project will require a flag-holder to alert trains and protect constructions orders, which could cause delays.

The project is being funded by a $700,000 federal grant and a $385,000 grant from the West Suburban Mass Transit District. The district has also awarded the village a $40,000 grant for security systems at both the Stone Avenue and La Grange Road stations.